RIP Mike Nichols – Writers salute you

Few could dispute that Mike Nichols an amazing director, producing an incredibly diverse range of films and plays. He won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. He received critical acclaim for his direction in The Graduate and popular success for Working Girl. My personal favorite is Biloxi Blues, the story of young men from across the country being thrown together in boot camp during WWII (Every summer I think of Mathew Broderick from NYC trapped in Biloxi Miss complaining “It’s hot. Africa hot. Tarzan couldn’t stand this heat.”)

Actors appreciated his talent for drawing out their talents. He was known to be generous, humorous, intelligent, passionate, inspired and inspiring.

But I’d like to remind you of an additional skill…he managed to take well-loved novels and make them palatable…superior, even. Quite a rare talent.

And perhaps even more importantly to us romance writers–Nichols was quite the ‘hero’ in his personal life. His wife, Diane Sawyer said, “[Mike is] much more romantic than I am. He puts little notes in my sock drawer or in my suitcase before I leave for a work trip. I think one of the most romantic things is simply the way he reaches for my hand all the time.”

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DARE TO LOVE

The only tangible benefit Dare Landis has of finally claiming the title of Marquis of Raynsforth will be that the current marquis has finally gone to the Devil where he belongs.Until then, Lord Landis will continue to enjoy life on his own terms…as a heartless rake who’s beholden to no one.Nivea Horsham knows there’s more to Dare than he reveals to the world. She’s loved him since her older brother brought his ridiculously handsome friend home from school all those years ago. But getting him to notice her has proven to be an impossible endeavor.

Can Nivea shatter Dare’s carefully crafted facade and show him how to love?

Works in Progress

Catching a Pixie is a contemporary new adult novella. Lindsay, a graduate student at Roselle University in Delaware doesn’t have time for romance. But when she meets a handsome state trooper from New York, she can’t stop thinking about him. Too bad he lives four hours away–hardly a practical arrangement. Is their attraction strong enough to go the distance?

Gabby has had a crush on her best friend Lindsay’s brother for years. She could never resist Sean’s cute smile, wavy brown hair or gorgeous green eyes. But since he’s considered the charming screw-up in the family, with no prospects for the future, she’s never acted upon it.

That changes the night of Lindsay’s wedding. Sparks and clothing fly. And while the evening turns out even better than Gabby had hoped, there are unfortunate consequences.